We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Matthew Adam Thornley (Ret’d), unexpectedly on 19 June 2023 at University Hospital in London ON in his 46th year. Matt served with the Canadian Forces and the Public Service for more than 20 years - mostly with the Canadian Military Engineer family.
Matt was born in Brantford ON and grew up in London ON where he attended Arthur Ford Public School and Saunders Secondary School. Enrolling in the Canadian Forces in 1996, he joined the Canadian Military Engineers and became an Electrical Generating Systems Technician (EGS Tech). Matt completed his QL3 EGS Tech course at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering in Gagetown NB in 1997 and was then posted to 8 Air Communication and Control Squadron, Canadian Forces Base Trenton ON. During this tour, Matt was assigned to Canadian Forces Station Alert, NU in 1998 for On Job Training in the power plant.
Matt served for about five years as an EGS Tech and became a Master Corporal. During this part of his career, he had several deployments overseas including a tour in East Timor. Matt was then selected for the University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned Members program and pursued a Business Degree at the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON and graduated with Distinction in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (with Concentration in Business Administration). A short time later he reverted to his initial trade and joined the Construction Engineering section at CFB Trenton as a civilian Electrical Generating Systems Technician. He then moved to British Columbia for a few years before returning to London in 2019.
A private family celebration of life will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to BC & Alberta Guide Dogs that focuses on training and matching service dogs with our veterans. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
